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Exploring Tulum and Diving into Our Adventures in Cancun

9/29/2016

Tulum Beach at Tulum ruins site at the Caribbean Sea

You can make use of the beach area for access to the gorgeous Caribbean Sea when you visit the historic Mayan archaeological site of Tulum.

By John Roberts

The Yucatan Peninsula in the southeastern region of Mexico is one of the most interesting regions of the world because it offers so many opportunities to take on adventures in its natural wonders. It also provides a chance to explore the archaeological sites of the Maya people who developed the dominant civilization throughout Mesoamerica. Mayans built immense cities and temples and developed trade, science, sports and more for a period of more than 3,000 years.

We got a chance to learn more about Maya culture and spend a day at play in the outdoors on a tour with Aventuras Mayas, which we found through Olympus Tours. Our Tulum Xtreme Snorkeling and Caves tour kept us on the move for about 11 hours as we visited Tulum, one of the most significant Maya sites in the region, did some ziplining, rappelled from an obscene height above the jungle tree line and plunged into a subterranean world while snorkeling in an underground cave (cenote).

When you come to Cancun or Playa Del Carmen or any of the other resort cities in the Yucatan Peninsula, you can be overwhelmed with the options for adventure. And when you decide to get away from the resorts for a day exploring, you want to have a solid plan to get the most fun for your money. We always look for a tour that features a wide variety of activities that interest us with a company that makes our day hassle-free.

Let me tell you how our Cancun excursion went with Aventuras Mayas and Olympus Tours.

Our tour guide Rafael Gonzalez led us through the history of Tulum and its significance in Mayan history.

We were picked up promptly at 7:30 a.m. at our resort in the Hotel Zone in Cancun. Our guide, Israel, was extremely friendly and explained that he would be picking up a total of 11 of us who were to take part in the tour. By the end of the day, our group, which had people from Seattle to New Jersey and Monterrey, Mexico, to Michigan among us, bonded over our screams of delight at some of the adrenaline-pumping activities and our laughter as we chatted over beers during occasional breaks in our activities.

Israel, who goes by the nickname Flash, kept us well informed and entertained as he outlined the day's plan and said he would be bringing us first to Tulum, where we met with an expert on Maya culture and history. Rafael Gonzalez guided us through the ruins site that sits on the coastline overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The well-preserved walled facility used to be home for more than 1,500 and was a significant port for commerce.

After touring the ruins of Tulum on a hot and sunny day, visitors are naturally drawn to the clear blue waters of the nearby Caribbean Sea.

The compact site is easy to get around in about an hour, and one of the highlights is that you can wander straight down from the hill to the narrow strip of beach and go for a swim while visiting the popular destination.

After we contemplated life in the time of the Maya people and wandered through the ruins for a bit, it was time to gather to head into the Mayan jungle for lunch and thrill-seeking activities.

Buffet lunch by Aventuras Mayas tour company

Our tour included a delicious buffet lunch.

Rappelling in the jungle in the Yucatan Peninsula

Down we go, rappelling more than 60 feet from the top. I mastered a new skill.

A generous buffet lunch -- grilled jerk-spiced chicken, salads, pasta, mashed potatoes, tortillas, black beans, guacamole, chips, salsas, candies -- would fuel our afternoon pursuits. Our team suited up in harnesses and braved (most of us; some bailed) the dizzying heights of a platform set up for rappelling over the side and back to the jungle floor, some 10 stories below.

The first steps toward the edge were harrowing, but once you lean back into your harness and know you are safely attached to the ropes, you can just let go and control your descent. Wheeee!

This is when we all really started to connect as a group. Cheering on one another as we eased past any fears to try something new and exciting. Israel, I mean Flash, gave us thorough safety instructions and nimbly delivered instructions -- and jokes -- in both English and Spanish. When I told him I was eager to learn more Spanish, he made it a point throughout the day to engage me with new terms and words that I could use.

Ziplining is always a fun way to see the landscape as the birds do.

Ziplining followed our rappelling activity, and we flew through the trees on three long and fast lines, posing for pictures for the photographers that were assigned to us during the tour. (Photo packages are available for purchase starting at $45 showing all the highlights of your day with Aventuras Mayas.)

Cenote in Cancun, Mexico, Yucatan Peninsula

We were able to immerse ourselves into the mysterious underworld of the cenotes.

Then, my favorite: snorkeling in a cenote. Thousands of the underground river-and-cave systems exist in the Yucatan Peninsula. They form because of the collapse of the soft limestone bedrock in the region. Maya people regarded the cenotes to be sacred sites, with Ancient Maya conducting sacrifices in them. They were the gateway to the underworld and an important source of freshwater.

Today, they are still considered sacred places to be respected. Visitors are told not to speak loudly of scream when inside -- even if you encounter the winged creatures that call these places home. We saw several bats, most hanging upside down on the ceilings and a few buzzing past our heads. Easing into the waters, we stuck in our heads and saw several catfish. The water is perfectly clear and calm, and making our way to all reaches of the cave, we had to watch our heads, which were constantly at risk of a bump from the thousands of hanging stalactites.

Tulum and its surrounding region are hugely popular destinations to visit when you travel to Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula. Tulum is located about a 75-mile drive from Cancun's Hotel Zone, straight along Highway 307. Booking a Cancun to Tulum shuttle service is another good option to get there. That way, you can enjoy a flexible schedule visiting all the sites that you want.

We spent about 30 minutes exploring the cool darkness before it was time to re-emerge to the world above. Our adventures had come to an end, and it was time to dry off, pack up and ride back to our hotels. Still buzzing from the day full of exciting experiences, the shuttle van was filled with laughter and conversation as we relayed our favorite parts of the tour.

About 25 minutes into the ride, though, most of our 11 had fallen asleep. A sure sign of a satisfyingly exhausting day of adventure.

Thanks for reading.
Travel fit! Travel happy! Travel often!
JR

In The Loop Travel was a guest of Olympus Tours for a day of adventure in the Yucatan Peninsula.

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How to Eat Like a Local When Visiting Cancun, Mexico

9/26/2016

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Food stalls at Parque Las Palapas in downtown Cancun, Mexico

It's always a joy to dive into some of my favorite Mexican foods when in Cancun.

By John Roberts

I have been returning to Cancun time and again for the past decade. People ask why I go to the same spot so often, especially when I could visit new places, instead. They want to know why I enjoy it so much. What's the attraction?

I usually reply with several explanations: the sunshine, the always-warm weather, the beaches and our amazing resort experiences.

But during my recent trip, one of the biggest reasons really became apparent: It's the food, baby! That and the people.

There is something magical about enjoying a spicy dish and mingling with the friendly and welcoming residents of a country. Mexico -- and Cancun in particular -- performs this magic better than almost anywhere else.

I'm no foodie by nature, but the simple preparation of fresh, awesome-tasting dishes that make my brow sweat and have me quickly ordering another cold brew to wash it down is my idea of a perfect dining experience.

With that in mind, here are my five favorites ways you can eat like a local in Cancun. This means you get the best-tasting true Mexican food in a friendly and fun environment and often at super-low prices you can't believe.

The roadside stall has a smaller menu of quick and cheap street food. Head out back for a romantic dinner.

El Fish Fritanga -- Hit the curbside stall for a quick lunch of tacos or head out back and down the staircase to the outdoor seating along the lagoon's edge for sunset dining and a full menu of seafood options that will make your head spin. It's a relaxed atmosphere under umbrellas in chairs and at tables on the sand. Be prepared for a little tableside serenading from the house mariachi band. Note that choices are heavy on the seafood, with fish, octopus, shrimp and more. But you can also get a steak, grilled chicken or heaping skillet of steak or chicken fajitas. El Fish Fritanga is located at kilometer marker 12.6 on Kulkukan Boulevard.

We love the casual and friendly atmosphere at Blue Gecko Cantina.

Blue Gecko Cantina -- Tex-Mex personified, but leaning much heavier on the Mex. The small hole-in-the-wall bar/restaurant is owned by a Texan, so you'll find American twists on Mexican favorites. Try buffalo chicken tacos, spicy garlic shrimp tacos or pork tacos with pineapple. You sit around picnic tables and enjoy chunky guacamole, strong cocktails, cold beers and energetic and attentive servers. Located at 16 KM on Kulkukan Boulevard.

Tacos from Tacos y Tequila in Las Isla shopping mall in Cancun, Mexico

Crispy chicken tacos is just one of the many menu items you will love at Tacos y Tequila.

Tacos y Tequila -- A surprise pick in that it's located at La Isla shopping center in the Hotel Zone right across the street from the Westin Lagunamar Resort. The prices are low, and the menu is huge. We love the complimentary salsa wheel that offers six flavors (ranging from mild mango to muy picante habanero!) in which to dip the homemade corn chips. Make sure you ask for a "free drink" coupon before you agree to sit down. We have always enjoyed their enticement of a free margarita to take a seat for lunch or dinner (though, we probably would pick this spot anyways). In fact, all the restaurants packed in near the lagoon in the Las Isla shopping mall are likely to offer some sort of free drink deal, so negotiate for something before you commit to having a meal anywhere.

Tacun Mexican restaurant in the Hotel Zone in Cancun.

The gingham tablecloths and shaded patio seating draw you in. The cheap prices and delicious food make you pull up a seat at Tacun.

Tacun -- Tucked in among all the fancier options in the Hotel Zone and across from the Outback Steakhouse at Flamingo Plaza, pull up a chair at this roadside eatery that serves Mexican "street food" with a few added amenities, like tables, chairs and even a TV. Order the tacos pastor and watch out for the hot habanero in the salsa selections they serve as an appetizer with the complimentary chips. We had a wonderfully filling meal with two entrees, guacamole appetizer and four cold bottles of beer for $22. Located at KM 11.5 on Kulkukan Boulevard.

Meals are made fresh, and even those who speak only a bit of Spanish can order by pointing to the colorful menus.

Lunch at Parque Las Palapas in Cancun, Mexico

This lunch set us back less than $5.

Food stalls at Parque Las Palapas -- Eat alongside residents of the downtown Cancun neighborhood at this town park area that sits next to a small playground where we saw children having a blast. We also happened by as a dance class was working out to festive music. It's a wonderful scene to be a part of. But the food is why we came, arriving via a quick $1 ride on the R1 bus from the resort area.

Your jaw will drop at how little this fresh, delicious, hand-crafted food sets you back. Peruse the row of about eight stalls all serving similar fare, and let your senses take over. You can work on your Spanish while ordering, too, as the workers whipping up your meal probably speak little to no English.

We got three pork tacos, three tacos dorados, a big tamale, all the fresh salsas and onions our taste buds could handle and two Diet Cokes for about $5. You're gonna feel like you got such a deal that you'll want to leave a nice tip. And that's a nice thing to do!

Happy eating!
JR

9 Tips, Tricks and Warnings to Keep You Smiling in Cancun

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St. John's Fortress: Hiking to the Top of Kotor, Montenegro

9/16/2016

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Bay of Kotor in Montenegro from St. John's Fortress

The views of the Bay of Kotor are astounding when you climb the ramparts that wind into the hillside.

By John Roberts
Sweating and breathless, I realized that this was no simple stroll as we ascended the steep stone staircase. About 10 minutes into our hike to St. John Fortress, we found a perfect spot for a little rest.

The overlook wasn't at much more than a couple hundred feet of elevation. Yet we could immediately see that our decision to spend the first part of our day in the town of Kotor, Montenegro, climbing this historic site was a good choice.

The views over the stunning bay are astounding. We snapped the first of our many pictures here. More than 30 minutes later and with a few more stops along the way (the views and my pumping heart require these frequent pauses), we arrived at the summit, covering some 1,350 steps and 1,200 feet of elevation.

The view through an old gate on the ruins of the fortress.

St. John's Fortress is my top place to check out during your cruise visit in Kotor. The fortress, also known as the Fortifications of Kotor, rises from the old town area quickly along switchbacks until you reach the summit. They were designed to keep intruders out of the medieval village and include a series of stone ramparts, citadels, towers, gates and bastions. The ramparts are intact and the remains of some of the gates and other structures are clearly visible.

The town of Kotor and the integrated fortress that encircles it in the hillside is a UNESCO World Heritage site and perhaps the most significant cultural site in Montenegro. You can climb the steps after paying a fee of 3 euros at a small ticket table at the trailhead, which is easily located as you enter the town square and head straight to the back of the town (pick one of the narrow alleys and start heading toward the rising hill, and you won't miss it).

Steps on the hike at St. John's Fortress in Kotor, Montenegro

A narrow set of steps leads visitors up and down the hiking route.

The path can get crowded, and the heat intense, in the early afternoon. I recommend heading out in the morning so that you can more easily navigate up the narrow staircase before the masses join the route. Also, bring sunscreen, a hat, a couple bottles of water, a snack and your camera (of course!).

While the hike is my favorite thing to do in Kotor, you can find several other things to enjoy during your day in port. Wake up early enough on the ship to enjoy the sail into the port during your morning walk around the track or over breakfast at the aft of the ship, on the lido deck or on your stateroom balcony.

The stunning Bay of Kotor leads to the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Bay of Kotor is located at the head of the southernmost fjord in the world, and you are afforded amazing views of the surrounding orange-roofed homes and charcoal-gray hills as you gently sail into the slim channel on the way to the pier.

Gliding in, you'll note a series of tiny islets, winding roads, villages, fishermen on the water and monasteries in the hillside. Then, around the bend, Kotor itself comes into view, with its skyline of churches and St. John's Fortress.

Here are several other activities to enjoy during your cruise stop in Kotor.

Visit a mussel farm. The bay is filled with mussel farms, as aquaculture has taken hold in the waterway. Look for a boat tour that includes visits to several sites, such as to Our Lady of the Rocks Church on one of the two islets in the bay, as well as a lunch with wine on a mussel farm so you can dive right into Montenegrin culture and cuisine over a plate full of the seafood delicacy.

Go biking. Rent a bike (I saw them go for just 8 euros for two hours or 20 euros for a full day) and pedal the road that runs along the bay for a self-guided tour.

Explore the waters. Look into a boat trip that includes swimming, snorkeling or even diving. A popular excursion is a kayak and snorkel tour to check out the Blue Cave, the largest in a series of openings accessed by boat in the nearby waters of the Adriatic Sea.

Tour Old Town. The historic old city area is enclosed within the fortifications and is easy to navigate. You will find yourself blissfully wandering along the narrow cobblestone streets and alleys, past dozens of boutiques and taverns, as well as coming upon several historic churches and monastery sites. When you need to give your feet a rest, grab a table outdoors at one of the restaurants in the main piazza area and order a giant mug of cold Niksicko, a golden beer from Montenegro.

Thanks for reading! Travel fit!

JR